Pete Kerzel

With relief market active, Nats fielding inquiries on bullpen arms

December 10, 2014, 8:16am

SAN DIEGO - The relief dominoes are falling, and that makes it more possible that the Nationals will make a deal involving one of their bullpen arms. Overnight, the Astros agreed to terms with a pair of free agent right-handers, Pat Neshek and Luke Gregerson. Neshek, the low sidearmer who pitched last season for the Cardinals, gets a two-year, $12.5 million deal with an option for a third. Gregerson netted $18.5 million for three years. Both will help to fill voids at the back end of the...

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Souza's stock rising in Williams' eyes

December 09, 2014, 5:40pm

Nationals

SAN DIEGO - Nationals manager Matt Williams likes to plan things out, down to the smallest detail. From lineup combinations to how every minute in spring training drills will be accounted for, Williams has a reputation as a taskmaster who doesn't relish wasting time or energy. So a proclamation by the manager at the Winter Meetings that Steven Souza Jr. has worked his way into the 25-man roster conversation is a significant step for the rookie outfielder. Williams said the 25-year-old made...

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Williams: Harper could play right with Werth shifting to left

December 09, 2014, 4:53pm

Nationals

Williams: Harper could play right with Werth shifting to left

SAN DIEGO - Last spring, the Nationals intended to give third baseman Ryan Zimmerman some reps at first base, the first steps in preparation for an eventual positional switch. Manager Matt Williams devised some interesting wordplay to cover the order in which Zimmerman, dealing with right shoulder soreness that had limited his availability two weeks before camp broke, would tackle those assignments. "I want him to play third first - no pun intended - and then play first second," Williams...

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Interpreting Rizzo's comments on bolstering Nats' bench options (with minor league note)

December 09, 2014, 7:37am

Nationals

Interpreting Rizzo's comments on bolstering Nats' bench options (with minor league note)

SAN DIEGO - The dance between reporters seeking information and team executives reluctant to part with it is the crux of many conversations at the Winter Meetings. Whether it's an informal chat in the hotel bar or the packed lobby, or every afternoon's formal interview session, the tango begins anew with every conversation. We want information. They want us to have only the information they want to share. We ask, they answer. We ask again, they rephrase the original response - or scowl,...

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Notes on Espinosa's switch-hitting, Nats' search for infielder

December 08, 2014, 3:59pm

Nationals

Notes on Espinosa's switch-hitting, Nats' search for infielder

SAN DIEGO - Infielder Danny Espinosa said last season that he's toying with the idea of ditching switch-hitting and batting exclusively from the right side of the plate. While Espinosa seems willing to make the switch, the Nationals aren't saying if that's the plan going into spring training. It might not be until Grapefruit League games begin that their plans for Espinosa become evident. Meeting with reporters today in his suite at the Manchester Grand Hyatt to recap the first day of...

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How the Winter Meetings are different for the Nationals

December 08, 2014, 9:03am

Nationals

SAN DIEGO - The lobby at the Manchester Grand Hyatt is teeming with executives and media members. Day One of baseball's Winter Meetings is under way, even if many of the participants are a little bleary-eyed from a day of cross-country travel and the interruptions of their usual sleep patterns. Some years, lots of action takes place at the Winter Meetings. Some years, eh, not so much. But that does little to satiate the rabid fans 2,253 miles away in Washington, D.C., who have tons of...

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Rangers' Odor may be of interest to Nationals

December 07, 2014, 2:05pm

Nationals

SAN DIEGO - The Nationals are in need of a second baseman, and you can expect them to be linked to just about every available player at the position during the Winter Meetings. That's how baseball's mid-winter gathering works: need plus availability equals instant rumor. So you're going to hear a lot over the next few days about guys who Nats general manager Mike Rizzo might be interested in acquiring. We won't dignify every rumor by reporting it; a lot of media types throw names out en...

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Could this be the end of the Clippard era in D.C.?

December 06, 2014, 3:56pm

Nationals

Could this be the end of the Clippard era in D.C.?

SAN DIEGO - We've arrived at San Diego International Airport and are headed to the Manchester Grand Hyatt, headquarters for baseball's Winter Meetings. Get ready for four days of rumors and trade talk, free agent posturing and signings, and more diamond banter than you can shake a Louisville Slugger at. Since this winter has already seen its share of trades, and since the Winter Meetings are a wheeler dealer's paradise, it's probably a good time to recount one of the best swaps in Nationals...

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Werth found guilty of reckless driving, will appeal 10-day jail sentence (updated)

December 05, 2014, 8:46am

Nationals

Werth found guilty of reckless driving, will appeal 10-day jail sentence (updated)

Nationals right fielder Jayson Werth was found guilty this afternoon of reckless driving and has been sentenced to 10 days in prison with 170 days suspended. According to multiple media reports from the Fairfax County Courthouse, Werth's attorney has said he will appeal the conviction. The 35-year-old Werth will also lose his driver's license as a result of the verdict. Werth was cited on July 6 by a Virginia state trooper for driving his two-door Porsche at 105 mph in a posted 55 mph zone on...

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Orioles sign right-hander Eddie Gamboa to a major league contract

December 03, 2014, 11:34am

Orioles

The Orioles today announced that they have signed right-hander Eddie Gamboa to a major league contract. Gamboa, 29, went a combined 5-7 with a 3.81 ERA (108.2IP, 46ER) and a career-high 8.6 strikeouts per 9.0 innings in 19 games (17 starts) with Double-A Bowie (five starts) and Triple-A Norfolk (14 games/12 starts) in 2014. He is currently pitching for Navajoa in the Mexican Pacific League Winter League, where he has gone 4-2 with a 1.33 ERA (54.0IP, 8ER) in eight starts, striking out 49 and...

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O's tender contracts to 11 arbitration-eligible players

December 02, 2014, 1:38pm

Orioles

O's tender contracts to 11 arbitration-eligible players

The Orioles today announced that they have tendered contracts to all 11 arbitration-eligible players: catcher Matt Wieters; infielders Chris Davis, Ryan Flaherty and Steve Pearce; outfielder Alejandrop De Aza; right-handers Miguel Gonzalez, Tommy Hunter, Bud Norris and Chris Tillman; and left-handers Zach Britton and Brian Matusz. Wieters, 28, batted .308/.339/.500 in 26 games in 2014. Davis, 28, batted .196/.300/.404 with 26 home runs and 72 RBI in 127 games. Flaherty, 28, batted...

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Rizzo, the Nationals and the Boras effect

December 01, 2014, 4:39am

Nationals

A week from today, I'll wake up in San Diego, head to the media workroom and be ready for the first official day of baseball's annual Winter Meetings. Unless, of course, Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo gets a head start on the fun and announces something Sunday night, as was the case in 2010 when the Nats snagged outfielder Jayson Werth before the press conference dais had even been finished. But that's why I'm arriving in San Diego at midday Sunday. Just in case. In the ensuing three...

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Boone lone ex-National on 2015 Hall of Fame ballot

November 24, 2014, 6:16am

Nationals

Boone lone ex-National on 2015 Hall of Fame ballot

There's not a lot of Nationals love on the 2015 Hall of Fame ballot announced this morning. Only one former Nat - infielder Aaron Boone - is listed among the 17 new additions to the ballot, which feature three pitchers (Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez and John Smoltz) who combined to win nine Cy Young Awards and two hitters (Gary Sheffield and Nomar Garciaparra) who claimed batting titles in their careers. Boone played one season for the Nationals, hitting .241 with six homers and 28 RBIs in 104...

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Taylor Swift adds second show at Nationals Park

November 21, 2014, 11:04am

Nationals

Due to overwhelming demand, Taylor Swift has announced a second show at Nationals Park on July 14, 2015 for The 1989 World Tour. Tickets to her first show, on July 13, went on sale earlier today. Tickets for the additional date go on sale to the general public on Friday, December 12, at 10:00 am ET. American ExpressÂ® Card Members and members of TaylorSwift.com will have access to purchase tickets in advance, beginning Friday, December 5 at 10:00 am ET through Thursday, December 11 at...

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Nationals announce plans for NatsFest on Dec. 13 (updated)

November 21, 2014, 9:20am

Nationals

We already knew NatsFest was being held Dec. 13, and that the annual winter baseball carnival was returning to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, a downtown location that provides easier access for Nationals fans. Now we have a better idea of some of the team-sponsored activities that will occur from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. (or starting at 10 a.m. if you're a season plan holder). Eight different stations inside the Convention Center will host 51 separate events, and you'll have to pick and...

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Orioles select contracts of right-handers Tyler Wilson and Mike Wright

November 20, 2014, 11:28am

Orioles

The Orioles today announced that they have selected the contracts of right-handers Tyler Wilson and Mike Wright. Wilson, 25, was the Jim Palmer Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2014, going a combined 14-8 with a 3.67 ERA in 166.2 innings for Double-A Bowie (10-5, 3.72 ERA in 96.2 IP over 16 starts) and Triple-A Norfolk (4-3, 3.60 ERA in 70.0 IP over 12 starts). He led all Orioles minor leaguers in wins (14) and strikeouts (157) and ranked 7th in ERA (3.67). Wilson was named the...

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The rarest of rare Washington baseball uniforms

November 13, 2014, 8:21am

Nationals

The rarest of rare Washington baseball uniforms

Holiday shopping season is upon us, and more than a few folks will be buying replica Nationals uniform jerseys for the baseball-crazy fans on their naughty-or-nice lists. There's nothing like a successful season - a second National League East title and playoff appearance in three seasons - to jack up sales in the official team store or via your favorite Major League Baseball-approved website. There are few things more American than baseball, apple pie, Chevrolet - and the ringing of cash...

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A look inside GM Mike Rizzo's trade history

November 10, 2014, 6:44am

Nationals

A look inside GM Mike Rizzo's trade history

Major league general managers are convening in Phoenix starting today to meet with officials from the commissioner's office, go over potential rules changes, discuss what worked (and didn't) with expanded replay and initiate the process of filling roster holes in anticipation of the 2015 season. The reality is that few deals are made at the GM meetings. However, it's a venue where a lot of talks get started, with the hope of consummating deals a few weeks later at the Winter Meetings (which...

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Desmond, Rendon win 2014 Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Awards

November 06, 2014, 1:59pm

Nationals

Desmond, Rendon win 2014 Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Awards

Washington Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond and third baseman Anthony Rendon were named recipients of 2014 Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Awards on Thursday night, the third such honor for Desmond and first for Rendon. This is just the second time in the Nationals' short history that they've had two players honored in the same season with the National League's top offensive award (also 2012). "Our entire organization is exceptionally proud of Ian and Anthony," said Nationals President...

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Jones to host second annual #StayHungry #PurpleTailgate on Sunday

November 03, 2014, 5:46am

Orioles

Jones to host second annual #StayHungry #PurpleTailgate on Sunday

Sometime next season, you're going to see a most disturbing sight. It might be in person. It might be on Twitter. It might be captured on film via television or even on this website. But you need to be prepared for it. Orioles center fielder Adam Jones will be dressed in a Pittsburgh Steelers Ben Roethlisberger jersey. Hopefully, not those silly black-and-yellow-striped throwbacks that make the Steelers look like oversized bees. Jones wound up on the wrong end of a wager with Pirates center...